Atavistic
adjective
Relating to behavior that reminds us of the characteristics of early animals or humans.
Her fear of darkness can be explained as an atavistic trait.
Often appears as...
- atavistic fears
- atavistic behavior
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Relating to or showing characteristics of an ancient type that reappear in an organism.
The fish has a couple of atavistic traits such as having scales.
Often appears as...
- atavistic gene
- atavistic mutation
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Relating to behavior that reminds us of the characteristics of early animals or humans.
Her fear of darkness can be explained as an atavistic trait.
Often appears as...
- atavistic fears
- atavistic behavior
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Relating to or showing characteristics of an ancient type that reappear in an organism.
The fish has a couple of atavistic traits such as having scales.
Often appears as...
- atavistic gene
- atavistic mutation
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Evolutionary Throwback
Describes behaviors or reactions that seem outdated, coming from our distant past.
His atavistic response to the threat was to run away.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Reaction
Used when someone has a gut reaction that's mostly emotional, not based on modern logic.
She had an atavistic fear of the storm, like ancient humans might have.
Pro Tip 3/3Subconscious Drives
Involves instinctual urges or drives we are not consciously aware of.
There's an atavistic drive in humans to gather and hoard resources.
Pro Tip 1/3Evolutionary Throwback
Describes behaviors or reactions that seem outdated, coming from our distant past.
His atavistic response to the threat was to run away.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Reaction
Used when someone has a gut reaction that's mostly emotional, not based on modern logic.
She had an atavistic fear of the storm, like ancient humans might have.
Pro Tip 3/3Subconscious Drives
Involves instinctual urges or drives we are not consciously aware of.
There's an atavistic drive in humans to gather and hoard resources.
Pro Tip 1/3Evolutionary Throwback
Describes behaviors or reactions that seem outdated, coming from our distant past.
His atavistic response to the threat was to run away.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Reaction
Used when someone has a gut reaction that's mostly emotional, not based on modern logic.
She had an atavistic fear of the storm, like ancient humans might have.
Pro Tip 3/3Subconscious Drives
Involves instinctual urges or drives we are not consciously aware of.
There's an atavistic drive in humans to gather and hoard resources.
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Quote examples
Anne Applebaum
American Journalist
Even in Poland, where the president is far less powerful than the prime minister, people have a deeper and more atavistic relationship with the person who is a serious contender to become head of state. They want their national leader - the tribal chief - to look like them, to live like them, to reflect their values.
Quote examples
Shelby Steele
American Author
I am a black American, I say, and thus announce my atavistic connection to all others who live as black Americans, to all who ever lived as black Americans. Religion, caste, class, gender and race can all be atavisms, and they are inherently anti-democratic because they exclude all outside the atavism.
Quote examples
Neel Mukherjee
Indian Writer
In any restaurant, my eyes alight first, as if by an atavistic pull, on the meat dishes on the menu. In any dinner party I throw, I think of the non-vegetarian dish as central. I view this as a combination of weakness, greed and moral failure. Someone please help.
Quote examples
Stephen Moyer
English Actor
I'm not a very violent dude, and if something can be settled without any physicality, I'm always in favor of that. But if somebody comes near my kids, the atavistic crazy lion comes out.
Quote examples
Heather Mac Donald
American Editor
Feminists declare that men and women are equal in all respects. They petulantly decry any atavistic male courtesy towards females as a relic of a still oppressive patriarchal culture.
Quote examples
Michael Wolff
American Author
Guns in America have an atavistic force. Possessing them, or the act of not possessing them, is an identity that seems to pass from father to son.
Quote examples
John Keegan
English Historian
I don't think that what's going on in Bosnia is political activity. It's partly political, but it's partly atavistic as well.
Quote examples
Penelope Lively
English Author
Deep down I have this atavistic feeling that really I should be in the country.
Quote examples
Don DeLillo
American Novelist
In the face of technology, everything becomes a little atavistic.
Quote examples
Anne Applebaum
American Journalist
Even in Poland, where the president is far less powerful than the prime minister, people have a deeper and more atavistic relationship with the person who is a serious contender to become head of state. They want their national leader - the tribal chief - to look like them, to live like them, to reflect their values.
Quote examples
Shelby Steele
American Author
I am a black American, I say, and thus announce my atavistic connection to all others who live as black Americans, to all who ever lived as black Americans. Religion, caste, class, gender and race can all be atavisms, and they are inherently anti-democratic because they exclude all outside the atavism.
Quote examples
Neel Mukherjee
Indian Writer
In any restaurant, my eyes alight first, as if by an atavistic pull, on the meat dishes on the menu. In any dinner party I throw, I think of the non-vegetarian dish as central. I view this as a combination of weakness, greed and moral failure. Someone please help.
Quote examples
Stephen Moyer
English Actor
I'm not a very violent dude, and if something can be settled without any physicality, I'm always in favor of that. But if somebody comes near my kids, the atavistic crazy lion comes out.
Quote examples
Heather Mac Donald
American Editor
Feminists declare that men and women are equal in all respects. They petulantly decry any atavistic male courtesy towards females as a relic of a still oppressive patriarchal culture.
Quote examples
Michael Wolff
American Author
Guns in America have an atavistic force. Possessing them, or the act of not possessing them, is an identity that seems to pass from father to son.
Quote examples
John Keegan
English Historian
I don't think that what's going on in Bosnia is political activity. It's partly political, but it's partly atavistic as well.
Quote examples
Penelope Lively
English Author
Deep down I have this atavistic feeling that really I should be in the country.
Quote examples
Don DeLillo
American Novelist
In the face of technology, everything becomes a little atavistic.
Example 1 of 9
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